The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has revoked the suspension on United Nigeria airline’s wet-leased aircraft, initially imposed following the unfortunate incident of a United Airlines flight destined for Asaba instead of Abuja.
The investigation, led by Director of Operations, Licensing, and Training, B. Dambazau, revealed a lack of communication between the lessor’s and lessee’s Operations Control Centers (OCC) and a missing preflight briefing.
NCAA highlighted the absence of coordination and flight monitoring in accordance with the Operations Specifications Part G for Wet Lease Aircraft.
The cockpit and Cabin Crew were found to have neglected preflight briefings, and United Airlines’ OCC failed to monitor the aircraft as specified in the Operations Specifications.
The regulatory agency’s recommendations include ensuring approved flight programs and necessary briefings are communicated to the lessor, conducting briefings with the lessee’s dispatcher present, and emphasizing adherence to flight following procedures by both lessor and lessee’s Flight Crew.
Filed flight plans are to be handed to the cockpit crew through the lessee’s OCC.
Upon compliance with the recommended procedures for Part G Operations, the suspension on United Nigeria’s Part G Operations Specifications is lifted.
The airline is also obligated to adhere to the Nigeria Civil Aviation All Operators directive (DG 15/2023).